A church isn’t about the number of people sitting in the pews, it’s about the size of the heart of its congregation.
The St. Andrew’s United Church in DeWinton donated $8,083 to the Rowan House Emergency Shelter on July 16 — despite the fact it hasn’t had a traditional service since the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down in mid March.
Mark Dutkoski, chair of the St. Andrew’s church board, told the approximately 20 people who participated in a parking lot presentation ceremony that now is an important time to give to organizations like the Rowan House society.
He said there has been an increase in domestic violence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Women are being abused moreso than ever, by the very person who vowed to love them “for better or for worse,” Dutkoski said. “Fortunately, God has given these abused individuals Rowan House. Rowan House is funded by donations. Many of their donors do not have the same capacity to give their usual support.
“This is the reason for our fund-raising drive.”
Sarah Davis, Rowan House resource development co-ordinator, said there has been an increase in domestic violence rates due to COVID-19.
At present the Rowan House shelter is at capacity, Davis said, noting that capacity has been reduced due to the pandemic.
“We had to implement social distancing,” Davis said in an interview. “So right now we have approximately 15 people or so.
“We are looking at alternative places that we can potentially utilize in case we need to with the increase, so we don’t have as many turn-aways.”
Rowan House is working with other agencies and shelters to find women and their families shelter if needed.
The Rowan House shelter recently had its first positive cases of COVID-19.
“Our shelter was fully equipped and prepared,” Davis said. “We did not have direct contact between our positive cases and any other client nor staff due to our in-house procedures.”
She said the shelter received high-praise from health officials in its handling of the situation.
The St. Andrew church donation will go towards Rowan House’s prevention program.
“Our prevention program teaches about healthy relationships,” Davis said. “We go into the schools and teach about bullying, how to be a good friend — that is kind of the root of what causes domestic violence.
“We call it the cycle. When kids are raised in an environment that is not friendly they potentially could bully more in school.”
That hostile environment could transfer into violence and aggressive behaviour in later family life, she said.
She said Rowan House continues to fund-raise for basic needs above what is provided from the provincial government, such as utilities and appliance repairs.
The cheque presentation celebration ended with a rousing rendition of Jesus Loves Me, with those in attendance physically distanced and the majority wearing mask.
There are approximately 30 members in the St. Andrew’s congregation.
